[Koinonia]

Originally Posted by Indiana

Lisbon, You cant believe that in the ten minutes I was in the Table meeting, I got more refreshed than in any meeting I have been in elsewhere. The song was one of the many I appreciated greatly and began singing the moment I entered. (A hymn by WL)

Indiana, I wonder if have you considered how much of that feeling is based on culture. There are many things I miss about the LC--and many of those things are spiritual. Almost no kind of Christian meeting is satisfying to me these days (note that I say "Christian meeting," and not "Christian fellowship"). I believe there are many spiritual lessons that Christians can learn from other Christians in the LC.

However, whenever I do have these kinds of feelings (positive or negative) as you describe above, I have to ask myself--how much of that reaction is cultural on my part. Because no matter how much they would deny it, the LC is a thick culture.

As I told the 4 brothers who escorted me out, I have no problem with the positive aspects of the Local Churches, but "THERE ARE SERIOUS MATTERS THAT I ADDRESS AND THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED". It seemed to me the brother next to me, sort of behind me, substantiated what I said, he being the one from Anaheim. And the one next to him seemed to agree, but I can't be sure of either one and they left to return to the meeting.

I appreciate your determination. I really do. But do you feel this kind of effort will ever make any difference? I believe it cannot. The leader of the whole thing determined that those very same "serious matters" of concern to you should never be addressed, and I believe his edict was prophetic--at least in the context of the system. Many know of those issues, but they simply don't care. They have long buried them. To my mind, it is almost impossible to properly evaluate the issues you raise and stay within that system. I myself knew of the history for years, but I put all of it aside (with all manner of rationalizations) until finally, for whatever reason, the scales fell off my eyes. And when that happened, I just could not stay. The two things, to me, are mutually exclusive.

Also, may I ask--what is the purpose in visiting this kind of meeting? Do you feel comfortable there? To be honest with you, it seems sad. What is the point of it? To cause a disruption? It sounds like you are wandering--from Kaung's group to the Catholic Church, to the Presbyterian Church, to the LC. Find fulfillment in God! The whole outward scene of Christianity is such a mess. It is not meant to fulfill us!

Here is the thing, Lisbon, and others who have wondered about me, I see the potential for revival and have considered this from the beginning words of my writing, Aug 2, 2000 16 years ago. There is too much invested in so many innocent saints in the churches around the world.

Such a revival within the LC simply will not happen. The LC has become a religious system just like any other religious system. With each passing year, it becomes more and more organized, more and more distinct in its religious culture, and more and more set in its ways. There is just as much "invested" in so many other "innocent saints in the churches around the world" outside of the context of the LC. You visited a Catholic church--why does the Lord not bring revival there? Why does the LC need to be God's special thing (why does God even need to have a special thing?)? Whatever the "thing" is, the "ism," the Lord's attitude is the same--"come out!" (and "coming out is a heart-matter).

Lisbon, I went to a Catholic mass before going into the Bellevue mtg hall! It was dreadfully wanting for water and refreshment in the Spirit and intermingling. They had refreshments but no connecting. I was so surprised at the emptiness though the building was beautiful and inviting with a fountain as you enter, but the fountain of living waters was down the street and the saints have aged, and they were fewer in number, but they have been trained and raised up to know their spirit and get to that fountain that never runs dry.

What is "the fountain of living waters"? What is the "fountain that never runs dry"? You equate it with the LC or with something particular to the LC. But read the truth:

"For My people have committed a double evil:
They have abandoned Me,
the fountain of living water,
and dug cisterns for themselves,
cracked cisterns that cannot hold water" (Jeremiah 2:13).

The fountain of living waters is GOD HIMSELF. It is not the LC, or something particular to the LC. To be caught in that mindset is just to "dig out a cracked cistern." No matter how "spiritual" or "refreshing" the cistern appears--that's what it is. The fountain is GOD, and God did not pour Himself into the container of the LC.

The brothers were very kind this time to me and perhaps they read my previous 2 letters and links sent in July, but could not wait for this mtg to end and had to come back and interrupt my sweet short talk with that sister who long ago drew me thru that Christ in her smile and her directive for me to move into the brother's house. I did so due to wanting to be with these people who were focused on Christ alone. There was no call to be in one accord with another center than Christ, the Christ who is our life and our hope of glory. I had also visited the Pres church next door to the the meeting hall. Another beautiful building in wealthy Bellevue.

Brother Indiana, those "kind" LC brothers felt the need (four of them) to escort you out! They will not even let you sit there!

Many of the saints I normally meet with were in Vancouver B. C. for a conference with Stephen Kaung (101 years old). He is in Seattle now and might speak once or twice before leaving for home Richmond. Many of the saints I normally meet with were in Vancouver B. C. for a conference with Stephen Kaung (101 years old). He is in Seattle now and might speak once or twice before leaving for home in Richmond.

I hope the two groups who both come from Watchman Nee's ministry would come together and be benefited from each other. BOTH would be greatly benefited. But the LC brothers would never part from their ministry which precludes the idea of merging as one and confirms their standing as a ministry church.... But the opportunity is there.

Brother Indiana, I daresay that will never happen--not in this age. I am certain that both sides, no matter how charitable or "open," are just as set in their ways. I am fully convinced that we will only all be truly united once our walk on earth is over and we rest in eternity in the presence of the Lord. And in that day we will wonder (if we even bother to be preoccupied with it)--why we spent so much time dwelling on all of these things in the first place. God is bigger than the LC or the Little Flock, or WN, or SK, or WL. Don't miss the forest for the trees. God is vast and transcendent, and the Body of Christ is vast too.

"And may His glory fill the whole earth. Amen and amen" (Psalm 72:19).